Bathtub cleaning machine

ABSTRACT

A hand held tool for cleaning surfaces of a bathtub or other basin type fixtures is a portable unit that has a rotatable brush portion, a rechargeable battery system for operating a motor for rotating the brush portion, and a hose connected to a water source.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a hand held tool for cleaning a bath tub and other basin type fixtures in a home such as a sink or wash basin.

The surfaces of bathtubs and water containing basins collect soap scum and are susceptible to the buildup of mold and mildew. Due to health and sanitary concerns, such surfaces require frequent cleaning.

In the past, the task of cleaning such surfaces has been accomplished by the application of a cleaner and scrubbing by hand. The problem with this approach is that it is strenuous and time consuming.

There is a need for a tool that allows for easier cleaning of the surfaces of a bathtub or other basin type fixture.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed a hand held tool for cleaning surfaces of a bathtub or other basin type fixtures. The hand held tool broadly comprises a portable unit that has a rotatable brush portion, a rechargeable battery system for operating a motor for rotating the brush portion, and a hose connected to a water source.

In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed a cleaning machine comprising a body having a handle portion and a wand portion opposite the handle portion, the wand portion configured extendable; a brush coupled to the body proximate the wand portion, the brush configured to rotate and swivel relative to the wand portion; a pipe nested in the body and configured to fluidly couple a supply of liquid and discharge the liquid out of the brush; and a trigger coupled to the brush, the trigger configured to actuate motion of the brush.

In an exemplary embodiment a water regulator is fluidly coupled to the pipe, the water regulator is configured to control flow of the fluid.

In an exemplary embodiment a motor is coupled to the brush and configured to rotate the brush.

In an exemplary embodiment a battery system is coupled to the body, the battery system is electrically coupled to the motor.

In an exemplary embodiment the wand portion is configured retractable and extendable relative to the handle portion.

In an exemplary embodiment a trigger guard is configured to protect the trigger from impact.

In an exemplary embodiment the brush is detachable, wherein a least one of an abrasive, a sponge, a scouring pad and a soft fabric can be interchanged with the brush.

In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed a device for cleaning a bathtub comprising an L-shaped body having a handle portion and a wand portion, the wand portion is configured to adjust in length. A brush is rotatably coupled to a swivel, the swivel is coupled to the L-shaped body proximate the wand portion opposite the handle portion. An electric motor is nested in the L-shaped body and coupled to the brush and configured to rotate the brush. A pipe is nested in the L-shaped body, the pipe is fluidly coupled to the brush and a supply of fluid. A trigger is coupled to the handle portion, the trigger is configured to control rotary motion of the brush.

In an exemplary embodiment the wand portion is telescopic.

In an exemplary embodiment a switch is coupled to the electric motor and configured to control a speed of the electric motor.

In an exemplary embodiment the pipe is fluidly coupled to a fluid supply between the handle portion and the wand portion.

In an exemplary embodiment the brush is interchangeable with at least one of an abrasive, a sponge, a scouring pad and a soft fabric can be interchanged with the brush.

In an exemplary embodiment a battery system is coupled to the body, the battery system electrically coupled to the electric motor.

In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed a process for using a cleaning machine comprising a body having a handle portion and a wand portion opposite the handle portion, the wand portion is configured extendable. A motor operated brush is coupled to the body proximate the wand portion. A pipe is nested in the body. A trigger is coupled to the brush, the process comprises coupling a source of fluid to the pipe; actuating the brush with the trigger; discharging the fluid out of the brush; rotating and swiveling the brush; and scrubbing a surface with the brush.

In an exemplary embodiment the process further comprises extending and retracting the wand portion relative to the handle portion.

In an exemplary embodiment the process further comprises extending and retracting the wand portion relative to the handle portion.

In an exemplary embodiment the process further comprises controlling a speed of rotation of the brush

In an exemplary embodiment the process further comprises replacing the brush with at least one of an abrasive, a sponge, a scouring pad and a soft fabric.

In an exemplary embodiment the process further comprises recharging a battery coupled to the motor.

Other details of the bathtub cleaning machine are set forth in the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the device;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the device;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the device;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the device;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a bathtub cleaning machine, or simply device 10 for cleaning surfaces of a bathtub and other basin type fixtures such as sinks, laundry tubs, swimming pools, hot tubs, and other liquid-containing vessels.

The machine 10 is hand held. It consists of an L-shaped body 12 which has a brush 14 connected at one end. The brush 14 may be attached to a motor 16 that is used to rotate the brush 14. Any suitable means known in the art may be used to attach the brush 14 to the motor 16. The brush 14 and the motor 16 may be attached to the body 12 by a swivel 18. The swivel 18 may allow the brush 14 and the motor 16 to move relative to an axis 20. For example, the brush 14 and motor 16 may move up and down and/or side to side.

A hose 22 may extend from a second end of the body 12. The hose 22 may have a suitable fitting 24 which allows it to be connected to a water source (not shown) such as a shower pipe or a tub pipe outlet or spigot. The fitting 24 may be a threaded fitting which mates with a threaded connection on the shower pipe or tube pipe outlet.

The hose 22 connects to a piping system 26 within the housing so that water may flow to an outlet 28 adjacent the brush 14. If desired, the tool 10 may include a water regulator 30, such as a dial, which operates a valve in the piping system 26 to control the flow of water in the piping system.

A rechargeable battery system 32 is provided on a surface of the body 12. The battery system 32 includes one or more rechargeable batteries 34. The battery system provides power to the motor 16 via electrical connection means such as wiring internal to the body 12. The tool 10 may include a trigger 36 which is connected to the electrical connection between the battery system 32 and the motor 16. The trigger 36 may be used to initiate and cease operation of the motor 16 and thus rotation of the brush 14. A trigger guard 44 may be provided around the trigger 36. If desired, the tool 12 may also include a device, such as the regulator 30, e.g. a dial, to regulate the rotational velocity of the brush 14.

The body 12 may also have a retractable portion 40 which is nested within the body 12 and which is extendable so as to increase the overall length of the tool 10.

The body 12, the casing 42 of the motor 16, the trigger 36, and the trigger guard 44 may be formed from any suitable material. For example, all of these elements may be formed from a plastic material. The hose 22 may be formed from any suitable flexible material. If desired, the hose 22 may be retractable so that it is stored within the body 12.

In operation, the hose 22 is connected to the water source using the fitting 24. Water flow into the tool 10 is then initiated. Thereafter, the trigger 36 is depressed to initiate rotation of the brush 14. The brush 14 is then placed into contact with a surface to be cleaned and moved back and forth over the surface. If desired, a cleaning substance may be applied to the surface to be cleaned and then spread by contact with the rotating brush 14.

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, an exemplary embodiment of the machine or simply device 100 is shown. The device 100 includes many of the features of the exemplary embodiment described above. The device 100 can include a similar L-shaped body 112. A motor 116 is coupled within the body 112. The hose 122 is coupled to the body 112 forward of the trigger guard 144. In a preferred embodiment, the hose 122 is coupled to the body 112 in the middle of the body 112. The water regulator or switch 130 is coupled to the hose 122 proximate the body 112.

A wand portion (adjustable handle) 150 of the body 112 is configured, adjustable, to be extended and retracted as needed. The wand portion 150 is located proximate the brush 114 and fluid discharge end of the body 112 opposite a handle 152 portion. The wand portion 150 is configured to telescopically extend and retract relative to handle 152 (as shown by the arrows at FIGS. 3 and 5). The wand portion 150 can be configured as a sleeve overlapping the other portion of the body 112 proximate the handle 152. In a preferred embodiment, the wand portion 150 includes a handhold, soft material that enhances the tactile feel of the wand portion 150.

The wand portion 150 is configured to control the speed of the brush 114 in an exemplary embodiment. The wand portion 150 can be extended and twisted in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, thus locking the wand portion 150 into a fixed position. The wand portion 150 can be extended and locked into position and set the speed of the brush to a slow rotational speed. The wand portion 150 can be retracted toward the handle portion 152 and subsequently locked into position to set the speed of the brush to a fast rate of rotation. Any combination of brush speeds and wand portion 150 position can be set.

The brush 114 and swivel 118 at the distal end of the handle portion 150 also is configured for rotary motion as well as to swivel about the swivel 118. The swivel 118 can be a ball and socket design.

In an exemplary embodiment, the brush 114 can be configured to detach, to facilitate the exchange of the brush 114 for another brush with different characteristics, such as abrasive features, material of the bristles, textures and the like. Additionally, the brush 114 could be substituted with a sponge, scouring pad, fabric material, chamois cloth and the like. The interchangeable feature of the brush 114 can allow for more versatile use of the device 100.

In another exemplary embodiment, the motor 116 can be synchronized with the rate of flow of the water through the device 100. As the rate of flow of the water changes, the rate of speed of the motor that drives the brush can also vary. Any combination of water flow rate to brush rotation/agitation rate can be adjusted by use of the device. The device 100 can be pre-adjusted to a variety of settings to control brush speed and water flow rate.

In operation, the hose 122 is connected to the water source using a fitting 124. Water flow or fluid flow into the tool 100 is then initiated. Thereafter, a trigger 136 is depressed to initiate rotation of the brush 114. The brush 114 is then placed into contact with a surface to be cleaned 154 and moved back and forth over the surface 154. If desired, a cleaning substance may be applied to the surface to be cleaned and then spread by contact with the rotating brush 114.

In an exemplary embodiment, the motor 116 is nested within the body 112 proximate the handle portion 152. Vents 156 are formed in the body 112 proximate the motor 116 to provide a source of air to circulate through the motor 116 to cool the motor. The motor 116 can be electrically coupled to a battery 134 mounted on the handle portion 152 of the body 112. In an exemplary embodiment the battery 134 is mounted to the handle portion 152 opposite the motor 116.

An additional advantage of the bathtub cleaning machine of the present invention is that it is portable and can be used in a wide variety of settings. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleaning machine comprising: a body having a handle portion and a wand portion opposite said handle portion, said wand portion configured extendable; a brush coupled to said body proximate said wand portion, said brush configured to rotate and swivel relative to said wand portion; a pipe nested in said body and configured to fluidly couple a supply of liquid and discharge said liquid out of said brush; and a trigger coupled to said brush, said trigger configured to actuate motion of said brush.
 2. The machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a water regulator fluidly coupled to said pipe, said water regulator configured to control flow of said fluid.
 3. The machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a motor coupled to said brush and configured to rotate said brush.
 4. The machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a battery system coupled to said body, said battery system electrically coupled to said motor.
 5. The machine according to claim 1, wherein said wand portion is configured retractable and extendable relative to said handle portion.
 6. The machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a trigger guard configured to protect said trigger from impact.
 7. The machine according to claim 1, wherein said brush is detachable, wherein a least one of an abrasive, a sponge, a scouring pad and a soft fabric can be interchanged with said brush.
 8. A device for cleaning a bathtub comprising: an L-shaped body having a handle portion and a wand portion, said wand portion configured to adjust in length; a brush rotatably coupled to a swivel, said swivel coupled to said L-shaped body proximate said wand portion opposite said handle portion; an electric motor nested in said L-shaped body coupled to said brush and configured to rotate said brush; a pipe nested in said L-shaped body, said pipe fluidly coupled to said brush and a supply of fluid; and a trigger coupled to said handle portion, said trigger configured to control rotary motion of said brush.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said wand portion is telescopic.
 10. The device according to claim 8, further comprising a switch coupled to said electric motor and configured to control a speed of said electric motor.
 11. The device according to claim 8, wherein said pipe is fluidly coupled to a fluid supply between said handle portion and said wand portion.
 12. The device according to claim 8, wherein said brush is interchangeable with at least one of an abrasive, a sponge, a scouring pad and a soft fabric can be interchanged with said brush.
 13. The device according to claim 8, further comprising: a battery system coupled to said body, said battery system electrically coupled to said electric motor.
 14. A process for using a cleaning machine comprising: a body having a handle portion and a wand portion opposite said handle portion, said wand portion configured extendable; a motor operated brush coupled to said body proximate said wand portion; a pipe nested in said body; a trigger coupled to said brush, said process comprising: coupling a source of fluid to said pipe; actuating said brush with said trigger; discharging said fluid out of said brush; rotating and swiveling said brush; and scrubbing a surface with said brush.
 15. The process of claim 14, further comprising: extending and retracting said wand portion relative to said handle portion.
 16. The process of claim 14, further comprising: controlling a speed of rotation of said brush, by adjusting the wand portion.
 17. The process of claim 14, further comprising: replacing said brush with at least one of an abrasive, a sponge, a scouring pad and a soft fabric.
 18. The process of claim 14, further comprising: recharging a battery coupled to said motor. 